Tell me about Morocco

[NCTDN]

Considering it as a place for October half term. What is there to do ? Is it safe to venture away from hotels ? Are there particular resorts that are better ?
Thanks

I spent a few days in Marrakech last December. It's an amazing place to explore -- exotic buildings and rich culture. We went on a 3-day trip to a desert. It was a looong journey to get there but it all worths it to see the sunset and sunrise at the desert.

However, be prepared for tourist scams -- it's everywhere. It's the reason I won't consider going there again in the future.

I love Morocco and I think the weather is perfect in October. I’ve only been to Marrakech and Essaouira - both beautiful and vibrant. I’ve never felt unsafe, and have mainly stayed in the Medina in Marrakech. You do need to keep your wits about you, and keep a good sense of humour for haggling in the markets, but I think well worth it.

I know that some people on here have had different experiences and didn’t feel as comfortable as I did. I love the ‘foreignness’ of it, and the excitement of it all.

The main tourist scam I was aware of was the one where people give directions that send you the wrong way and then offer to show you the way for a fee. Pay attention to where you are and you should be fine.

My least favourite thing was the street hawkers who try to get you to hold a monkey and then charge to have photos with it. I hate monkeys.

HOWEVER, the food, the markets, the atmosphere, the Majorelle Gardens, the photography museum, the medersa and everything else are wonderful.

Lots of Morrocan men.

I've been to Agadir in October and really enjoyed it - felt very safe, very little hassle compared to Marrakech, nice beach and lots of things to visit, paradise valley, desert, cable car, souk and kasbah etc Camel rides and quad bikes and sandboarding if you're adventurous!

I just don't know why anyone would want to go to/support a country like this. Maybe that's just me.

I think it's a dirty horrible place and would never go back (visited about 6 years ago)

Like what. I’m curious.

The whole country?

We have been several times. Our favourite place is Essaouira - beautiful town, lovely beach. October is an ideal time to go. Our least favourite place is Marrakesh.

Eating out is really cheap, like good meals for a tenner for 3 courses. Lots to do and see.

Yeah. Been, would not go back.

We loved it - have been Marrakesh and agadir, but done tours from them as bases so travelled a bit off the beaten track. It’s a culture shock, but the people are kind and whilst you need to be on your guard in tourist areas, I found it much more relaxed outside of that and felt very safe. It’s a fascinating culture and history.

Yes, even Essaouira. Dirty, some horrible harassing locals and just not enjoyable. I went against my better judgement as my usual stance is that I don't visit countries where donkeys are more valuable than women.

I'm planning on going either this year or next and will make sure I spend some time here
https://www.kasbahafrica.com/

My experience has been quite different. Marrakesh was horrible - harassment, so crowded, the main square is awful - the snake charmers and monkey guys are terrible

However we have been several times, to Essaouira, Fez, Agadir and a couple of other places. Loved all of them but especially Essaouira.

We went earlier this year. It was alright. We stayed in the Atlas Mountains for a couple of days and then in Marrakesh. I wouldn’t go again.

Went to Marrakech in June 2019, absolutely loved it although part of that was due to having an amazing hotel on then outskirts that was so calm and peaceful compared to the hustle and bustle of the city. I'd go back!

Went to Agadir in October 2024. So different from Marrakech, on the beach, much quieter, hardly any harassment. The weather was great for end of Oct/start of Nov. Enough to do and plenty of time to relax.

I think the key is to get a good hotel where you can escape and chill out after you've ventured out!

I’ve been to Morocco plenty of times mainly because my neighbour is Moroccan and she had plenty of villas and holiday homes which she kindly let us stay at for no charge.

I will try to be as fair as I can with my opinion. As any touristy place scams are common and you really do need to be prepared to say no and mean it and not get scared into paying for anything you are not comfortable with.

I absolutely hated the medina in Marrakech. Full of men who would cat call. Pickpockets in the form of children who distract you. The henna ladies offering to do something for free then saying tip/pay as you like expecting £10/20 for nothing. Never accept a gift. Be prepared to put it down. Don’t take pictures of the monkeys and snakes etc as they expect you to pay. The horse and carriages which take you on a tour of the area looked malnourished to me and I hated that they would whip them to move faster. Broke my heart. Cats are everywhere. I don’t know if they have diseases but I would be careful and lots of kittens everywhere to. They are all over the whole country. As are homeless dogs which roam the street. For some reason Moroccans do not like the dogs and the government have recently been seen to agree euthanise/shoot them which breaks my heart.

i will say however there are some beautiful sights to see. YSL Gardens, the tombs, some beautiful mosques with great architecture. Ouzood waterfalls is a stunning little hike. Atlas Mountains trek is great too. And safari tours.

agadir and essaouira both have beaches with amazing water sports facilities. Fresh seafood. The latter having been the sight of some scenes from Games of thrones.

and tangier and chefchaouen (blue city) are breath taking. There’s so many beautiful places I couldn’t list it all.

I’ve been to turkey and Egypt and both are horrible compared to Morocco.

overall it’s cheap, you get value for money and weather in colder months is still 20-28 degrees which is warmer compared to the uk.

Security in all hotels is impeccable. The staff go out their way to help you. Moroccans are known to be hospitable and will invite you to their homes for dinner and tea with no obligations.

the area where tourists are common also have armed police guards who are there to help tourists and they have also helped us whenever we felt like we were lost or needed saving from a scammer. The locals are scared of police.

never get into a taxi without them running the meter. If they refuse get out and get into another one. They do try to give you a set price but the meter is very cheap. Think a few pounds at most for any journey less than 20 mins.

if there’s anything you’d like to know in more detail let me know il be happy to help.

That's a brilliant post @minimama2boys

I would say the main take home message from your post and my experience is don't go to Marrakesh!

Came back from Marrakesh and Essaouria a month ago . Felt safe and weather was lovely , Marrakesh is as chaotic as you imagine , vibrant , lots to see and do . Essaouria smaller beach resort . Would I go back , no. It’s one of those places ticked off the list but nothing special . Didn’t enjoy the food at all . The tagines are served many ways , some ok some not eatable . A bit of a meh place for me .

Ooh what divided opinions ! Thanks everyone.

The cities (I can only speak of marrakech) are very different to the mountains. In Marrakech it’s quite a chaotic vibe and you really have to have your wits about you as there are tourist scams all over the place. (Forcibly taking you on a ‘guided tour’ which finishes at their friend’s shop where you have to pay the tour guide and buy something from the shop before you’re allowed to leave. Putting snakes around your neck and keeping adding more and more until you pay for them to take them away. Just a couple of examples.) the markets and things can be a really exciting, fun place to explore but I found the constantly being bothered to be quite tiresome. Outside of the cities it is really beautiful with great mountains and hiking and things. I’ve never been to a resort but I’d imagine they are the same as any other resorts. What sort of thing were you thinking of?

I’ve been all over the world, many many places we talk about and would love to go back. Marrakech is not one of them. I don’t see any place as worth going if you need constant “wits about you” or to ‘escape’ back to a nice hotel after going out of it for an afternoon. The endless harassment from local men, the aggression, the scams, the disgusting filth everywhere was just….no. We stayed in a fabulous hotel and enjoyed things like the Saint Laurent gardens, but it wasn’t worth having to quite literally cover my arse with my hands whilst looking through the markets. Having to fend off aggression when I ignored male attention. The pawing and grabbing is making me feel queasy just remembering it. I thought people were being silly before I went, and that I, as a seasoned traveller, would be cool. I was not cool. Something I’ve never done before in my life, I flew home a few days early couldn’t wait to get out of there. Even the taxi on the way back to the airport, organised by the fancy hotel, took me to a place where they were tanning goat skins in vats of piss. I had to pay to leave so I wouldn’t miss my flight! Actual fucking hell hole.

Why would anyone ride a camel?! Poor animals 🤬

Interesting, I didn't like it due to the bad treatment of horses and donkeys e.g. huge men sitting on tiny donkeys, sometimes just for a snooze (yes really), or just to avoid walking, and an area full of horses that were in full sun with no water....I was told that they don't need water as they are like camels.
We also got harassed by a taxi driver who tried to charge double.
However, when we were with our organised tour of various cities it was fine, we felt safe and it was all fascinating, especially Fez and the leather works. Probably depends on what you are planning to do.

We loved it - stayed in a riad in the centre of Marrakesh and then a hotel on the outskirts. DH and I were both sensible, reasonably experienced travellers, as long as you have your wits about you - a firm, polite “no thank you” or “non, merci” & keep walking if someone is trying to sell you something, you will be fine. I would be perhaps a little more cautious if travelling with a group of women, I was absolutely fine with husband and no hassle. I did dress a little more conservatively when walking about the medina - linen trousers or a maxi dress. The modern part of the city had lots of trendy bars and restaurants & I dressed as I normally would.

If a little anxious I would stay in a resort and do guided tours around the medina.